Israel’s new Lebanon buffer zone targets Qana gas field

Israel’s self-declared “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon has sparked renewed controversy not only for its military implications but also for its impact on energy geopolitics. The map presented by the occupying Israeli army shows that the line extends not only on land but also at sea. The fact that the area covered by the maritime extension of the line effectively coincides with the Qana gas field has led to the assessment that the occupying power aims to bring the energy-rich region under operational control. The occupying power had previously taken a similar step during the Gaza genocide, seizing a Palestinian natural gas field.

100 BILLION CUBIC METERS OF RESERVES

The field that the occupying power claims control of in the Eastern Mediterranean was ceded to Lebanon under the 2022 Israel-Lebanon Maritime Border Agreement brokered by the US, and was seen as one of the most important energy hopes for saving the country's economy. Qana, with its estimated reserve potential of approximately 100 billion cubic meters, is estimated to have an economic value of between $20 and $40 billion.

WILL CANCEL ENERGY PROJECTS

According to a new map released by the Israeli army, the military line created extends 5 to 10 kilometers into Lebanon from the border. While it is stated that many villages along this line have been evacuated or destroyed, Israel defends this move on the grounds of protecting northern settlements from Hezbollah attacks. The Israeli army announced that "five divisions and the naval forces are simultaneously operating south of this line." The stated aim is to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure and prevent threats to northern Israel. Access to the area and security conditions may make it difficult for Lebanon to actually implement energy projects.

VILLAGES WIPED OFF THE MAP

According to a report by the Lebanese National Scientific Research Council, Israeli forces have been demolishing an average of 1,000 homes a day in southern Lebanon since March 2, completely wiping some villages off the map. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated that they would carry out a similar destruction in southern Lebanon to what they did in Rafah and Beit Hanoun and other areas of the Gaza Strip, applying the "Gaza model." Since the ceasefire, which came into effect on October 10 on the grounds that they were approaching the yellow line that leaves approximately 53 percent of the Gaza Strip under Israeli occupation, more than 220 Palestinians have lost their lives as targets of Israeli attacks.

LITANI THREAT

Despite the ceasefire, the Israeli army also issued a new warning. Israel warned residents of the region in southern Lebanon not to cross south of the designated line. Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee stated that during the ceasefire process, soldiers continued to be deployed in their positions in the towns they occupied in southern Lebanon. Adraee claimed that Hezbollah activities continued and requested that civilians not return to border villages due to "security risks."

GAZA SEIZURE

The occupying power has effectively seized the natural gas reserves off the coast of Gaza through the blockade and occupation it has imposed since 2007. Since then, it is known that energy companies have preferred to bypass the Palestinian administration and reach agreements with the Israeli government regarding exploration and field development rights. On the other hand, Israel is also conducting natural gas and oil exploration and extraction activities in the Eastern Mediterranean for its own benefit, at the expense of Palestinian rights. According to calculations by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 122 trillion cubic meters of natural gas and 1.7 billion barrels of oil reserves have been identified in the Levant basin.

Meanwhile, the US State Department announced that the next meeting at the ambassadorial level in negotiations between Israel and Lebanon will take place on April 23.